The Alliance for Toll-Free Interstates, of which NATSO is a founding member, criticized President Trump's call for privatizing America's infrastructure, following remarks made June 7 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

"When President Trump spoke today about ‘private dollars’ in infrastructure, specifically relating to surface transportation, he is talking about tolls," ATFI said in a statement. "Tolls will not fill our infrastructure deficit because tolls rob everyday drivers to line the pockets of Wall Street and international investors. Tolls should be removed from any discussion of responsibly fixing our country’s ailing roads and bridges.”

During a speech along the Ohio River, President Trump repeated his desire to leverage $1 trillion in state, local and private investment for infrastructure, with just $200 billion in direct federal funding.

The President did not unveil new details of his infrastructure plan, however, the Administration’s recent budget proposal called for liberalizing tolling policy and commercializing Interstate rest areas, both of which NATSO strongly opposes.

During his June 7 speech, President Trump said the government should allow state and local governments to succeed at meeting their unique challenges and that infrastructure funds should be matched by private dollars.

Just one-fifth of infrastructure spending comes from the Federal Government, with the vast majority coming from states, localities and the private sector, the President said.

Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman

Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman develops and executes communications strategies to advance NATSO’s public relations and advocacy goals. Tiffany also develops and oversees partnerships related to the NATSO Foundation’s public outreach initiatives. Tiffany lives in the D.C. metro area with her husband and their two sons.More